Reasons for smoking among the teenagers in HA. Maarandhoo

Abstract

Even though smoking is enormously harmful to health, the prevalence of smoking among teenagers, around the world as well as in the Maldives, are high. The main purpose this study is to understand the reasons, why the numbers of smokers among teenagers are increasing, and to investigate the factors leading them to start smoking in HA.Maarandhoo Island, Maldives. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Maarandhoo, using a stratified random sampling 44 males and 52 females of age 13 to 19 years were selected. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data which were then analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Study revealed that, one in every ten teenagers is a smoker in the Maarandhoo Island and the chi-square test showed statistically significant relationship between Friends’ cigarette use plus family issues (parental divorce or separation), and teenage cigarette smoking. It also showed, majority of the participants agreed that smoker friends, family issues and media influence teenage smoking behavior. The results of the present study can contribute to the literature and have significant implications for practitioners and policy makers to prevent teenagers in Maarandhoo from developing smoking habits.